Pumpkinland

The weather warmed up so we got to take our trip to the pumpkin patch. We thought today would be the perfect day, because the kids are still in school (UEA doesn't start until tomorrow here). Well, we drive up to the Vineyard and we see a school bus unloading a whole group of kids. Then we look in the parking lot and see two more school buses parked. So, we knew it was going to be busy. Now, I love grade school kids, they are darling. But, they just haven't learned patience yet. So, we felt very pushed around by 5-7 year olds. We felt like mother hens trying to protect our young from the predators. We were in the corn maze along with several groups of kids. Every few minutes we would move to the side to let a group pass. We couldn't let everyone pass, or we would be off to the side the entire time! We had just let a whole group of kids pass and sent our little toddlers on their way, when a 7 ish year old boy comes barreling up behind us. He was trying to pass us and came right up on Aubrey's tail. I was about to do something, when Aubrey whips around and puts her hand up (you know like talk to the hand or stop). She had this look on her face that said, "Hey buddy, back off - you are all up in my space!" It was so funny, and the kid totally backed off. I think she had gotten fed up with being pushed around. I know now that she won't be taking any smack from bullies when she is in school! I just hope, she doesn't turn out to be the bully!

Luckily, about 45 min. into our trip, most of the field trippers where sent back to school. We were then able to spend some time where the girls could roam freely and actually play in the playland area!

As soon as we got there, Aubrey spotted Pooh Bear and just had to go see him. I love that we got a pic. of the girls holding hands. They do this a lot. Whenever we talk about Zoe, Aubrey will hold her own hands, as if to tell me about how she and Zoe hold hands when they are together.

Cute little clowns!

Wandering the cornmaze. We finally found an empty path!

Sittin' in the Pumpkin Patch.

The girls loved this huge pumpkin. We were just glad they found something to play with that none of the older kids were hovering over!

Me and my bug!

Trying to feed the goat!

Checking out the chickens!

Finally, the older kids left and the girls could play!

Hangin' out in a Jack'O Lantern

Zoe & Me

Trying out the tire swing. As you can see from Aubrey's expression, she wasn't too fond of it.

Taking a rest and a snack.

This is later at home when Aubrey was carrying/rolling her pumpkin, that we bought at pumpkinland for her, all throughout the house!

My Own Corner

On Monday afternoon I was laying on the couch waiting for a call back from my midwife. Aubrey, was contentedly playing in the family room and so I took the opportunity to rest for a bit. Aubrey kept running back and forth from the family room and then down the hallway. First, she was carrying stuffed animals with her and then she began carrying books. She would be gone for a few minutes and then would come back to get a new book and take off again. I wondered what she was doing, but the rest was too nice to interrupt. Finally, I had to get up for something and walked down the hall. She had found a corner in the kitchen next to a cabinet and had set up her stuffed animals. She was reading them stories. After she finished one, she would be off for the next one. It was just so cute! And I LOVE that she is learning to entertain herself more! (Notice how she is still in her pjs - I was too! It was one of those cold indoor in your pjs type days!)

Puppy Love

Last week Katie & Elliot were dog sitting for a friend. So, I had to take Aubrey over to play with her. The dog started jumping all over Aubrey as soon as we walked in the door and Aubrey didn't cry at all. She sure loves dogs! (Too bad mommy & daddy don't!)

Aubrey really enjoyed feeding the dog!

Giving the doggy kisses!

This cute little outfit Grandma & Grandpa Bagley gave to Aubrey for Halloween. You can't see in this picture, but it has some Disney princesses on the jacket. Aubrey already loves Disney princesses. (Even though she has never seen any of their movies!) She has some princess books that she just adores. She recognized them from her stories when she saw them on her pocket. She thought it was so much fun to wear princesses!

Being cute and silly!

I love this picture! I taught her how to pose for it. All day, she would get on the floor and do that pose! Such a cutie!

I am so glad that Plaid is in this year! I love it - she looks like a little school girl!

We were planning on going to a pumpkin patch today, but it is freezing today! So, we decided to put it off til later this week when it has warmed up again! So, I thought I'd pull out Candyland and teach Aubrey how to play a game. She was being so cute. We have some Candyland story books and so she recognized the characters in the game. She also loved picking a card and turning it over. She would gasp every time, even though most of them are just squares! She was thrilled when she picked the card of Princess Lolli (her favorite character from her candland stories.) When she picked the card, she pointed to her and then pointed to her on the game board and then on the box. What a smartie!

Picture Tag

So you pick your fourth picture file, and the fourth picture in the file and then you tag four more people.

The picture is of Grandpa Bagley reading Aubrey a bedtime story back in February. I can't even remember why they were here in February. I am sure something exciting was going on!

So, since this is such an easy tag, I think everyone should participate! So, if you are reading this and haven't done it already, consider yourself officially tagged!

First Prenatal Checkup

We went to our first prenatal visit for the new baby. I had been telling Aubrey that we would be hearing the baby's heartbeat for the last couple of days. When we got there, we found out that they accidentally scheduled us in the 9th week instead of the 10th. Apparently, before the 10th week you usually can't hear the heartbeat. I was disappointed for myself and for Jeff and Aubrey. The midwife said she would try and see if she could find it. She was able to find it!! Aubrey was so interested. You can hear her talking (sort of) about it in the videos below.

A couple weeks ago, Aubrey noticed the chorister leading the music. She got a big smile and started waving her arms around too. During conference she got a kick out of leading the music during almost every musical number. She especially loved leading the children's choir. Anyway, above you can see her leading the Tabernacle choir.

Wearing my new fall outfit!

Going to my first birthday party for my friend Zoe!

Jeff has been trying for months to get his glasses on Aubrey. She is always too quick and swipes them away or turns her head. He was finally successful on Sunday. She even kept them on until mommy got there with the camera!

This face just cracks me up!

My little secretary.

After dinner tonight, I took a paper towel and was washing Aubrey's face and hands. She took it from me and started doing it herself. Then she began washing off her highchair. I let her down and she began washing every surface in the kitchen/family room. She washed the refrigerator, the coffee table, the blinds, her toys and as you can see above the floors! She was remembering helping daddy wash the floors on Saturday. She is finally earning her keep! HeHeHe

This evening we were sitting at the table visiting when Jeff went to get some cookies and milk. Aubrey, saw the cookies and reached out for one. Then she saw Jeff dipping his in the milk. She scooted right over to dip hers too! It was so cute! Two peas in a pod!

Aubrey at Play

I didn't feel up to blogging this week (sinus infection & tummy ache), but I did manage to get some pics of what Aubrey has been up to this week. So here's my photo journal of the week.

Lovin' my Pooh Ba. Aubrey loves all of her animals, but she has a special place for her Pooh. She sleeps with him every night and nap - and won't leave the crib in the morning without him. She even began calling him by name this week. It sounds like "Pooh Ba". So cute!

Shhhh Pooh Ba is sleeping.

This is what I see all day long. Aubrey's head cocked to one side with a stuffed animal in the crook of her neck. She is such a little sweetie.

We hadn't gone outside for a few days, and Aubrey was aching to get out. So, we went out front to wait for Daddy to come home. At first, she kept trying to run down the driveway and down the side walk. Which was a really fun game (not!) Then I convinced her to come sit on the doorstep. As we sat down, a grasshopper jumped out in front of us. Aubrey was so fascinated. She just stared at it. I told her to go touch it, but she would get really close and then wimp out. I am not one for touching bugs, so I didn't want to touch it myself. It jumped on the brick wall and just crawled around. Aubrey stood there and watched it's every move. Than daddy came home and helped Aubrey touch it. She was so mesmerized. She was not pleased when we had to go inside for dinner!

So, I haven't found fresh blueberries to buy for Aubrey for a few weeks - so I got some frozen ones. Man are they messy. Aubrey didn't seem to mind though. She just ate them right up.

Forget the spoon, this is a much more efficient way to eat my oatmeal!

How does she still look so pretty when she is such a mess?

A neighborhood friend has some cute bunnies that Aubrey & I have gone to see a few times. We finally thought to bring the camera. Aubrey just loves watching, petting & feeding them.

She figured out that she could fit her fingers through the mesh and pet the bunnies.

So, in the above photo, Aubrey went to give the bunny a kiss and it's whiskers tickled her. Too funny!

It's fun to feed the bunnies!

Aubrey likes to help with everything, so we try to find ways for her to help. Here she is helping with dinner.

She was so proud of herself when she helped daddy bring in the groceries!

Whenever Aubrey has some food, she always feeds it to whatever animal or doll that is around. Many meals we have to have an animal at the table eating with us. Hopefully, this means she is going to be a very sharing and thoughtful person!

Aubrey was too young to play out in the rain last year. So, daddy took her out this morning. She thought it was real fun. She didn't want to touch the worm though. A girl after my own heart.

During this morning's conference Aubrey had found one of her diapers and was inspecting it thoroughly. After her inspection she brought it to me. I asked her if she wanted to put it on her doll. She excitedly said, "yeah". So, I helped her put the diaper on her dolly. She was so excited I told her to take it to the back and show daddy. Off she ran. Well, I never heard Jeff say anything to her and it got really quite for several minutes. Although, I was thoroughly enjoying the silence and the ability to listen to conference, I thought I better go check on the little one. So I quietly walked down the hall. There she was trying so hard to put the diaper back on her dolly. It was so cute! She wants to be able to do everything she sees us do. I love it!

So, Aubrey and I have both had colds for the last couple of weeks. Aubrey's nose has been running like a faucet. One day, I had just gotten to the computer when I saw Aubrey's runny nose. I didn't have any tissue anywhere near me, and didn't want to get up. So, wishfully thinking I said half heartedly, "Aubrey, can you go to the bathroom and get some tissue so I can wipe your nose." I really had no hope that she could follow that complex of a command - but I had to try. Without hesitation, Aubrey hops up and walks down the hall. I wasn't sure what she was going to do, but I thought I'd give it a minute or two before I went and chased her down with some tissue. A few moments later, in she walks holding some tissue out for me. I was so thrilled. I couldn't believe she could actually follow those instructions! She definitely got an "A" for that day!